5 Unusual Diets You Probably Haven’t Heard Of – Do They Work?

Below is a list of some such unknown diets and my verdict on them.

(Photo: iStockphoto)

Often some diets become so popular worldwide that they become a norm like say Keto or Palio or the zone diet but some stay on the fringes. People going to extremes to lose weight is not a new phenomenon, but some diets push the boundaries (even more than the regular fad diets) and often border on weight-loss insanity.

Below is a list of some such unknown diets and my verdict on them.

The Lion Diet

It is a bit (a lot) extreme. Here the idea is to eat only twice or thrice a week like the lions do. Most people alter it a bit and fast completely one or two days a week and eat only one big, mid-day meal for the rest of the days of the week.

My Verdict: A big NO.

You might lose weight (maybe too much in the beginning) but you’ll be ravenous all the time — and become an hangry (hungry + angry) tiger.

I say: maybe use it as an intermittent fasting alternative once in a while but steer clear of following it regularly.

The Bacteria Diet

Here's a plan that doesn't restrict calories. The focus instead is on eating foods that boost the populations of healthy bacteria colonising your digestive tract like probiotic foods (fermented foods, probiotic milk). It is said that this helps lose weight without cutting calories.

My Verdict: Sometimes yes

Eating probiotic food is always a good idea, and will only boost a person’s health, besides sorting out the gut. But just that alone will obviously not be enough. You have to eat healthy generally and keep a check on the calories too.

I say: Using this as a lifestyle diktat is a great idea, along with overhauling the entire diet and focusing on healthy foods.

The Eggs and Dessert Diet

This one it seems is based literally on a study that came in 2012 which said that dieters have less hunger and cravings throughout the day and are better able to keep off lost weight if they eat a carbohydrate-rich, protein-packed breakfast that includes dessert. So, basically the idea here is that you can have your cake and lose your weight too.

My verdict: Use carefully

Eating something sweet that early could deftly help curb later cravings, but it’s very easy to misunderstand this diet and start your day with a diet disaster. Desserts can be a calorie minefield, and are very often zero nutrient dishes, that can mess up not just your blood sugar but also calorie intake early in the day.

I say: you could definitely eat something sweet early on in the day but make sure it is nutrient loaded and make sure you have it with a protein dense food to ensure slow release of sugar in the body.

The Zen Diet

This diet was originally eaten by Buddhist monks in training. It has three main rules governing the food:

Eat three times a day. Don’t kill creatures - don’t use meat or fish. Use all parts of an ingredient. Don’t use strongly flavoured food such as leeks, shallots, garlic, or onions.

There are apparently some Zen diet restaurants too worldwide.

My verdict: Can work

I like the diet’s back-to-basics approach and kind of agree with the commandments, like eating fresh, eating all parts of a food, eating three meals, eating slowly, drinking green tea after every meal. But giving up fish or garlic and onions don’t go down well with my brand of nutrition which recognises its health benefits.

I say: sounds like a good way to live but might be impractical in the long run. So, ideally apply selective aspects from it.

The Vision Diet

Well here (believe you me) you can eat everything (there are no restrictions) but you are supposed to wear blue-tinted glasses to make your food look less appetising, and thus, ensuring that you eat less. Yes the idea is simple. Blue-tinted glasses are supposed to make that burger on your plate suddenly looks disgusting.

My verdict: Downright silly!

This diet has no chance of creating any weight loss. Because even if you do manage to hinder your vision, the smell and touch of food, and the normal hunger signals in your body will work.

I say: dump the very idea.

(The writer is a nutritionist, weight management consultant and health writer based in Delhi. She is the author of Don't Diet! 50 Habits of Thin People (Jaico) and Ultimate Grandmother Hacks: 50 Kickass Traditional Habits for a Fitter You (Rupa).)